As the dust settles on the 2024 General Elections and the BJP-NDA coalition begins its third consecutive term at the centre, one thing has become more apparent than ever before — India’s regional parties are the true power brokers in the nation’s larger political landscape. Regional parties are political parties that operate in a specific geographic area of a country and often focus on regional issues and interests. An ever-growing number of regional parties are at play, representing specific states' sociocultural, economic, and linguistic interests, traversing a comprehensive range of ideologies, reflecting the country's diverse society. The mother of democracy has yet again seen the country's most dominant party rise for another third term. The BJP-NDA coalition has been victorious in the 2024 elections. This year's electoral output was a standout; with unprecedented events, there were unusual and unexpected results. With the rising influence of the opposition, the growing footprint of BJP in southern India, and an unexpectedly lower turnout of votes in the first phase of the seven-phase elections. Unlike the previous elections, which were influenced by national issues, the 2024 elections concerned more local and regional factors. Source:mapupa The electoral battle was fierce and closely watched. The BJP-NDA coalition, comprising the national BJP and 23 regional parties, faced stiff competition from the INDIA alliance. The election narrative shifted from national to regional issues, with parties promising to address the specific needs of their states. Narendra Modi's BJP won 293 Lok Sabha seats but fell short of an outright majority with only 242 seats. The party's reliance on its regional allies, such as the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) and JD(U) (Janata Dal (United)), became crucial to forming the government. On the other side, the INDIA alliance, featuring prominent players like the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, secured 232 seats. The Congress alone won 99 seats, while the Samajwadi Party captured 37. Even though, this year's elections provided an unprecedented result, the emergence of coalitions achieved a promising outcome.The highlight of the electoral outcome was that it maintained a subtle balance between the aspirations of national and regional parties. The formation of these alliances dictates the buoyant growing value of regionalised aspirations and the evolving electorate. This electorate output shows that regional parties' relevance and importance in politics are still paramount in promoting stable and inclusive politics. Election results in 2024 were more in conjunction with federalism, with voters supporting the growth of parties that promised to prioritise regional development over broader issues. Since 2014, Lok Sabha elections in India have often been dominated by matters of national significance. However, the 2024 Lok Sabha election marked a notable departure from this direction as the regional political parties effectively upheld and prioritised the regional concerns. Despite their influence, several once-prominent regional parties, such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), faced challenges in securing seats. These parties may have lost importance due to internal party dynamics, leadership crisis, and changing voter preferences. However, the enduring relevance of regionalism was evident. These parties continued to play a crucial role in shaping governance, ensuring that diverse voices and interests were represented in India's democratic process. Despite such instances, the current circumstances underscore regional parties' enduring influence in the political sphere, highlighting their crucial role in shaping governance. The regional parties are essential in ensuring that voices are heard and interests are represented, contributing to the vibrancy of India's democracy. As our country continues to develop, the role of regional parties will remain pivotal in contributing to a more inclusive and representative democracy. Despite the dominance of national parties, regional parties have demonstrated their ability to influence electoral outcomes and address the nuanced needs of their constituencies. As Indian diplomacy evolves, the balance between national and regional aspirations will continue to grow. Regional parties will remain indispensable in promoting a more inclusive and representative democracy. What is the significance of regional parties?
Shifting grounds for the changing electoral landscape:
The unfolding battle:
Regionalism at the Forefront:
Challenges and resilience:
The enduring relevance of regionalism:
19 Jun 2024
Riya Rode
